"Being nominated for a medal alone should be an honor, yet you're saying you won't accept it? What exactly are you saying?"

As if I had only just noticed Minister Han Yung-Bok, I finally lowered my head. "Ah! Sir. I'm Jung Yoon-Ho from Hoop Entertainment."

Han Yung-Bok asked in a sharp voice, clearly displeased. "Chief Jung. Raise your head and explain yourself. What do you mean you don't need a medal?"

When I lifted my head, his expression as he looked at me had gone cold and rigid.

'As expected, he's angry.'

Han Yung-Bok had originally started as a film actor before achieving great success as a film director and producer. Then, around the time he turned thirty-five, he sold off all the land his father, a wealthy landowner in Gyeonggi Province, had owned and used the money to establish the distribution company Korean Film. From that point on, he devoted himself entirely to promoting Korean films and Korean actors overseas.

Thanks to that, during the early days of Korean cinema's expansion abroad, many films and actors achieved significant results with his help. For a man who had done as an individual what the nation should have done, the government awarded him the Silver Crown Order of Cultural Merit, a second-class cultural medal, the year he turned fifty.

In other words, to Han Yung-Bok, a medal was proof that he had dedicated his entire life to Korean cinema, so he took considerable pride in it as well. And yet I had openly refused something I should have considered an honor just to receive, so he had no choice but to be angry. He felt as if even the lifelong effort he had devoted had been denied.

However, that was exactly what I had been aiming for. High-ranking officials were completely indifferent to areas they had no interest in. So, in order to destroy Second Vice Minister Choi Si-Hoon, I first drew Han Yung-Bok's attention.

Sure enough, Han Yung-Bok was staring straight through me.

'I've drawn his attention for now.'

At that moment, Assemblyman Go Joon-Taek saw Han Yung-Bok's expression and hurriedly tried to take my side. "Mr. Han, I'm sure Chief Jung didn't mean it that way. He was just saying earlier that..."

"Mr. Go. I'd like to hear what Chief Jung has to say. Isn't a medal proof that the government of the Republic of Korea recognizes someone's contribution? I know there's a trend among young people these days to look down on the state, but isn't it far too rude to come all the way into a government building and say he doesn't need a medal?"

Han Yung-Bok cut off Go Joon-Taek. Go Joon-Taek continued to try to help, but I quickly signaled to him that it was all right. After all, this was the stage I had set to send Choi Si-Hoon packing.

'It's all right, Mr. Assemblyman.'

After receiving my signal, Go Joon-Taek tilted his head and stepped back. "Understood, then. Please speak with Chief Jung."

Han Yung-Bok stared at me again. "It is true that the secretaries in charge of culture suggested that Chief Jung be placed among the candidates for a fifth-class medal. However, there are still many steps left before one can receive a medal. A medal isn't something so trivial."

At that moment, I spoke with force as if to make sure Choi Si-Hoon and Secretary Oh Seung-Yong, who were fidgeting beside me, heard every word. "That's exactly why I can't accept it. Because, as you said, a medal is not trivial."

Han Yung-Bok tilted his head. "Hm? You can't accept it because it isn't trivial? What does that mean?"

I straightened my posture, looked Han Yung-Bok in the eye, and spoke firmly. "I've heard that a medal is the highest award given when someone has made the greatest contribution in a field and brought honor to the nation. Just as you devoted everything you had to introducing Korean films and Korean actors to the world, Mr. Han."

Han Yung-Bok's stiff expression softened slightly. "Hm. That is what a medal is..."

"If I received a medal just because I made my name known for a few years, then the value of the medal would inevitably fall. That's why I can't accept it."

At my confident tone, Han Yung-Bok's frown faded and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly. "So, in other words, you're refusing because you don't believe your contributions are worthy of a medal?"

"Exactly, sir. A medal is far too great an honor for me to receive. It should go to someone who has made greater contributions and sacrifices."

Han Yung-Bok asked with a faintly pleased expression. "Even compared to many of your seniors in the industry, your achievements stand out as exceptional. And yet you still think it's not enough?"

"I've only helped good entertainers meet good projects, nothing more. And to receive a medal, you have to work for the public good like you have. On the other hand, I've worked for private gain, and the results just happened to follow by luck. So it's only right that the medal goes to someone who has worked for the public," I spoke passionately, almost shouting toward Han Yung-Bok.

'It's because a medal is so incredibly valuable that someone like me can't accept it!'

At that moment, a hearty laugh spread across Han Yung-Bok's face. "Hahaha. It seems I've made quite the misunderstanding. To think I got angry without realizing how thoughtful a young man like you is—it suddenly makes me feel ashamed. Now I understand why my secretaries recommended you. Just knowing the value of a medal makes you worthy of receiving one."

Moved by my speech, Han Yung-Bok kept smiling as he looked at me with clear approval.

At that moment, an uneasy Choi Si-Hoon tried to speak. "Sir..."

'Cutting in now, huh?'

I had already made Han Yung-Bok completely take my side. Now, it was my turn.

"And there's one more reason I said I wouldn't accept the medal."

Cut off mid-sentence, Choi Si-Hoon glared at me. Nevertheless, I ignored his gaze and looked only at Han Yung-Bok.

Han Yung-Bok smiled warmly and asked, "And what is that other reason?"

Then, I drew strength from deep within and shouted as if something were stifling me. "I believe a prestigious medal should never become a condition in a 'deal'!"

As emotion crept into my voice, Han Yung-Bok tilted his head. "A deal? How could a medal become part of a deal?"

The startled Choi Si-Hoon suddenly shouted as he cut in. "Chief Jung! Watch your words. How dare you act so arrogantly in front of Mr. Minister—"

Han Yung-Bok's expression hardened as he glared at Choi Si-Hoon. "Vice Minister Choi! We are public officials who serve the people! And yet you dare to call a citizen arrogant after summoning him here? Are you out of your mind right now?"

With his signature angry expression of one eyebrow raised, Han Yung-Bok rebuked Choi Si-Hoon sharply. Choi Si-Hoon trembled and shut his mouth. After shooting a glare at Oh Seung-Yong, who was about to speak as well, Han Yung-Bok turned back to me with a gentle smile.

"Go on. What were you told you had to do in exchange for receiving the medal?"

"A moment ago, Vice Minister Choi threatened me to cover up the boxing association issue. He said otherwise, I wouldn't be given the medal."

"What? A threat?"

"Yes, sir. Being threatened itself isn't the issue. I have nothing to hide. But if a medal becomes something to be traded like that, then the same thing will keep happening in the future. That's why I said I couldn't accept it."

Choi Si-Hoon shot up from his seat. "That's slander! Sir! There's no way I would do such a thing!"

This time, Oh Seung-Yong couldn't hold back either and stood up, trying to cover their tracks. "Sir, we were simply trying to verify the suspicions regarding the national team selection from nine years ago before awarding the medal."

The two of them shouted desperately. And in that moment, I acted the part of a powerless ordinary citizen to the fullest. Like a frail prince from a fairy tale, I let my shoulders tremble slightly.

Seeing this, Han Yung-Bok looked between me and the two men before raising his voice. "How dare you try to slander Chief Jung with such nonsense! Can't you see you're frightening him!?"

His booming voice echoed loudly, just like when he gained fame in his twenties playing Taejo Lee Seong-Gye.

"And slander? Did you just say slander? Why would this young man slander you? If he's refusing a medal, what reason would he have to come all the way here just to accuse you?"

"That's... he's just trying to curry favor with you, sir... that's why he's acting like that."

As Choi Si-Hoon continued spouting nonsense, Han Yung-Bok shouted in disbelief. "What a twisted fool you are. What possible benefit would this young man gain from trying to impress me? He's not even someone aiming to become a public official, and he's already a young tycoon with a solid position of his own. What could he possibly be lacking, huh?"

I hadn't expected Han Yung-Bok to take my side to this extent, so I felt a slight sense of guilt.

'I should treat him well from now on.'

At that moment, Go Joon-Taek’s eyes gleamed as he turned to Choi Si-Hoon. "Hey, Vice Minister Choi. Did you, by any chance, take money from the association?"

Choi Si-Hoon trembled. "Mr. Assemblyman! Money? What are you talking about!"

"Otherwise, there's no way to explain what happened today. Is there?"

Like he was conducting a government audit, Go Joon-Taek pressed him hard, pinpointing only the key issues.

Choi Si-Hoon flared up and shouted, "Don't make accusations without evidence!"

"No, no. No matter how I think about it, it doesn't add up unless money changed hands. A government organization drags someone in like a criminal without even sending an official notice? Isn't that exactly the kind of thing someone with something to hide would do?"

"Something to hide? Assemblyman Go, aren't you going too far with that?"

The two continued their heated exchange.

Then, the door opened and Secretary Lee Chil-Sung suddenly approached Han Yung-Bok with a tablet in hand.

Click.

"Sir, please take a look at this."

"Can't it wait a moment?" asked Han Yung-Bok.

"I think you should see it now."

Han Yung-Bok glanced at the tablet. I also took the chance to sneak a look at the screen from the side. There, a shocking report was just beginning.

[NK Construction's President Noh Sang-Jin embezzles boxing association funds as personal slush money.]

[The shadow of NK controlling the Korean Boxing Association.]

[Entertained high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Culture, nullifying 20 years of audits.]

[President Noh Sang-Jin admits to entertaining a vice-minister-level official from the Ministry of Culture.]

[Is the Boxing Association a slush fund vault for the NK family?]

...

It seemed that President Noh Sang-Jin, currently under investigation by the Central District Prosecutors' Office, had spilled everything, as the article was breaking in real time. As expected, he couldn't hold out against Prosecutor Seo Jae-Ill, the so-called Mad Dog of the Central District Prosecutors' Office, and Prosecutor Park Jung-Jik, known as the Razor.

At that moment, Han Yung-Bok shouted in a booming voice. "Vice Minister Choi—no, Choi Si-Hoon! What is this?"

The moment he saw the tablet thrust in front of him, all the color drained from Choi Si-Hoon’s face. "U-uh... th-that's..."

Just then, Go Joon-Taek's phone rang as well.

Buzz.

After glancing at it, Go Joon-Taek spoke to Han Yung-Bok. "Mr. Han. My staff has confirmed it too. They say it's going to break on the 9 o'clock news today... how do you intend to handle Vice Minister Choi?"

Han Yung-Bok shouted angrily. "Secretary Lee! Bring the security personnel immediately and drag him out. Hold him on the first floor. Lock down his computer and preserve all documents in his office. I'll personally report this to the Board of Audit and Inspection, so tell everyone not to pull any tricks. And judging by this, the prosecutors will be coming. When they do, hand him over!"

"Yes, sir."

Lee Chil-Sung rushed out the door.

Panicking, Choi Si-Hoon shouted loudly, "This is unfair, sir! It's all a setup! A setup!"

He screamed desperately, but Han Yung-Bok merely clicked his tongue and glared at him. "The one who was set up is Chief Jung by you!"

At that moment, the security personnel who rushed in grabbed hold of Choi Si-Hoon. "Mr. Vice Minister, please come with us."

"Let go! Let go of me! I said let go!"

As Choi Si-Hoon struggled to no avail, he finally shouted, "Please spare me, sir! I only accepted a few meals, that's all!"

Han Yung-Bok snorted and ignored him. "That's ridiculous. What kind of lunatic pressures someone into giving false testimony in a government building just because he was treated to a few meals?"

Choi Si-Hoon urgently turned to Oh Seung-Yong, looking for help. However, Oh Seung-Yong, who had always acted like his right-hand man, lowered his head and avoided his gaze.

"Oh Seung-Yong! How dare you—" Trembling,Choi Si-Hoon suddenly shouted at Han Yung-Bok. "Sir! That bastard Oh Seung-Yong ate with me too!"

Startled, Oh Seung-Yong shouted back. "Hey, you crazy bastard! What do you mean I ate? I just picked up a few scraps you left behind!"

"Crazy bastard? The hell did you call me?"

"Yeah! And if you're going down, go down alone! Why drag me with you?"

Enraged, Choi Si-Hoon grabbed Oh Seung-Yong by the collar.

Thud.

Oh Seung-Yong grabbed Choi Si-Hoon right back without backing down. "Ah! Let go! You won't?"

As the two grabbed each other and started scuffling, the security guards had to rush in and pull them apart.

At that moment, Go Joon-Taek muttered quietly, "What a complete mess. A total mess."

Thud.

Once the two were separated, their hair disheveled, Han Yung-Bok spoke, "Take Oh Seung-Yong as well."

"Yes, sir!"

The two of them were dragged out.

In that brief moment, I calmly asked, "Did Secretary Kim In-Guk not partake as well?"

From the doorway, both Choi Si-Hoon and Oh Seung-Yong answered in unison, "That bastard ate too!"

Han Yung-Bok trembled with anger and shouted, "Bring that one in too!"

'I sure can be someone who holds a grudge when needed.'

***

In the small conference room after everything had been settled, Han Yung-Bok bowed his head toward me. "Chief Jung. As the person responsible for this ministry, I'll apologize on their behalf. I'm sorry."

Startled, I hurriedly bowed back and replied. "No, sir. Please, raise your head."

Just receiving an apology from Han Yung-Bok, who had lived his entire life without bowing to anyone, was enough to ease what I had gone through today.

Han Yung-Bok slowly lifted his head and looked at me. His expression was gentler than I expected. However, the words that came out of his mouth didn't match that expression.

"I'll have the consideration to award you a medal canceled."

Well, it wasn't something I had wanted in the first place, and I had already planned to refuse it since I believed I wasn't deserving.

I nodded. "Of course. That would be the right decision. I'm still not qualified to receive a medal."

At that moment, however, Han Yung-Bok smiled faintly and shook his head. "That's right. You're not qualified—" He paused slightly. "—to receive the Silver Crown Order of Cultural Merit."

'Wait. The Silver Crown Order of Cultural Merit?'

Earlier, the medal that had been under discussion within the Ministry of Culture for me had been the fifth-class Hwagwan Order of Cultural Merit. But now he was saying I wasn't qualified for the second-class Silver Crown Order.

The second-class Silver Crown Order was essentially the highest honor someone in the cultural field could realistically receive while still alive. It was on the same level as what Han Yung-Bok himself had received.

The first-class Gold Crown Order was so difficult to receive while alive that it was practically unattainable. So only the greatest artists—those who had built an unrivaled legacy in their field and achieved worldwide recognition—could even hope to receive it.

Not understanding what Han Yung-Bok meant, I asked him, "Sir... what do you mean by that?"

Han Yung-Bok gave a warm smile. "It's not that I don't want to give you a medal. Considering your character and your achievements so far, even if it might be a bit early, it would be possible. The work you're doing now will soon bear results. But it would be such a waste to give you a fifth-class medal as things stand. So accumulate more achievements, contribute to the nation, and then receive a higher-class medal."

Once one received a medal, it was extremely difficult to receive another one in the same field. So his words came from a place of consideration, telling me to achieve more and receive a higher honor instead.

"Sir..."

"So I hope you won't feel too disappointed."

Han Yung-Bok held my hand and smiled gently. At his warm words, any lingering resentment from being dragged here completely faded away. And perhaps because those words came from someone who had devoted his life to promoting Korean cinema abroad, they carried a quiet weight. And with it, a subtle sense of responsibility began to settle in me.

"I'll keep that in mind, Sir."

"Thank you."

At that moment, my phone buzzed insistently. It was probably a call related to Jang So-Yeon’s audition that was about to take place in Seoul.

Seeing my phone vibrating repeatedly, Han Yung-Bok smiled. "You seem busy."

"Ah, yes. A bit."

Han Yung-Bok began to smile meaningfully. "Well, you're the busiest man around these days, so that makes sense. I won't keep you long. But before you go, take a gift with you. If your medal has been canceled, you should at least leave with something, shouldn't you?"

'A gift instead of a medal? What exactly is he planning to give me?'